Neighbourhood in Naniwa Ward, Osaka
Shinsekai
新世界
A retro corner of south Osaka built in 1912 around Tsutenkaku Tower, now known for kushikatsu, colourful signs and an old-school atmosphere.
- places to see
- 6
- walk past the highlights
- 1.5 km
- Osaka
- Naniwa Ward, Osaka
Photo: Sakai Yayoi (opens in a new tab), CC0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
Shinsekai means "New World". It was laid out in 1912, with Paris as the model for its northern half and New York's Coney Island for its southern half, and Tsutenkaku Tower at its centre. The amusement park is long gone, but the bright signs and cheap restaurants keep a lively, old-Osaka feel.
Try kushikatsu, deep-fried skewers of meat and vegetables, at one of the many counters along Jan Jan Yokocho. Tennoji Park, the zoo and the city art museum are next door, and Abeno Harukas is a short walk east. See our Naniwa guide for more of the ward.
Don't miss in Shinsekai
Start with these, then wander the side streets.
1. Tsutenkaku Tower
通天閣The tower at the centre of Shinsekai, with an observation deck and a lucky Billiken statue inside.
Photo: Mc681 (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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2. Tennoji Zoo
天王寺動物園Long-running city zoo right beside Shinsekai, an easy add-on with children.
Photo: I, KENPEI (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 3.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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3. Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
大阪市立美術館Classical museum building in Tennoji Park with Japanese and Chinese art.
Photo: 663highland (opens in a new tab), CC BY 2.5 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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4. Tennoji Park
天王寺公園Open park between Shinsekai and Tennoji Station, with lawns and cafes at its entrance.
Photo: 663highland (opens in a new tab), CC BY 2.5 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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5. Keitakuen Garden
慶沢園Traditional stroll garden with a pond, a calm escape next to the museum.
Photo: 663highland (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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6. Abeno Harukas
あべのハルカス300-metre skyscraper by Tennoji Station with the Harukas 300 observation deck at the top.
Photo: Oilstreet (opens in a new tab), CC BY 2.5 (opens in a new tab), from Wikimedia Commons
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Walk Shinsekai in order
The highlights as one easy walk, about 1.5 km in all.
Stop 1
Tsutenkaku Tower
Start here
Stop 2
Tennoji Zoo
3 min walk
Stop 3
Tennoji Park
6 min walk
Stop 4
Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
1 min walk
Stop 5
Keitakuen Garden
2 min walk
Stop 6
Abeno Harukas
8 min walk
Shinsekai on the map
Every place on this page. Tap a pin for directions.
Questions
Is Shinsekai safe?
The main streets are busy and fine for visitors day and night. As anywhere, watch your belongings and avoid quiet back streets late at night.
How do I get to Shinsekai?
Ebisucho Station on the Sakaisuji subway line and Shin-Imamiya Station on JR are both a few minutes' walk away. Tennoji Station is about ten minutes on foot.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
More areas in Osaka
- DotonboriOsaka's neon-lit canal street in Namba, packed with giant signboards, takoyaki stands and restaurants from late morning until late at night.
- Osaka CastleOsaka's great castle on its stone walls and moats, set in a huge park with a shrine to its builder and a city history museum next door.
- UmedaOsaka's northern hub around Osaka and Umeda stations, with department stores, underground malls, rooftop views and a few surprising old corners.
